# Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

> model of joystick from 2003

**Wikidata**: [Q61781702](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61781702)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logitech-extreme-3d-pro

## Summary
The Logitech Extreme 3D Pro is a video game controller model and joystick first released on August 30, 2003. Manufactured by Logitech, it is a specialized input device designed for aircraft simulation and video games, primarily for use on the Microsoft Windows platform.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** August 30, 2003.
- **Manufacturer:** Logitech, a Swiss-American global provider of computer peripherals.
- **Classification:** Subclass of joystick and video game controller model.
- **Platform Compatibility:** Requires Microsoft Windows operating systems.
- **Connectivity:** Uses a USB 2 Standard-A plug via an integrated electrical cable.
- **Input Components:** Features 12 push-buttons, a 4-way hat switch, and a thrust lever.
- **USB Device ID:** 046d:c215.
- **Database Identifiers:** PCGamingWiki ID 21310 and Kultboy controller ID 234.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro first released?
A: The joystick was officially released on August 30, 2003. It has remained a staple model in the flight simulation peripheral market since its inception.

### Q: What hardware controls are included on the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro?
A: The device is equipped with a main joystick, 12 programmable push-buttons, a 4-way hat switch for directional input, and an integrated thrust lever for throttle control.

### Q: What systems is the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro compatible with?
A: The controller is designed for the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems and connects to the computer using a standard USB 2 Standard-A plug.

## Why It Matters
The Logitech Extreme 3D Pro is significant for its longevity and role as a foundational peripheral in the flight simulation community. Released in 2003, it provided a comprehensive control solution that integrated multiple axes of movement, a dedicated throttle, and numerous programmable buttons into a single desktop unit. Its design addressed the specific needs of virtual pilots by offering a 4-way hat switch and 12 buttons, which allowed for complex cockpit interactions without requiring a keyboard. 

As a product of Logitech—an organization founded in 1981 with a massive global footprint—the Extreme 3D Pro benefited from widespread retail availability and standardized USB connectivity. Its continued relevance decades after its launch highlights its success in balancing functionality with a accessible design for the Microsoft Windows platform. It serves as a primary example of a specialized input device that transitioned from a niche hobbyist tool to a widely recognized consumer electronic.

## Notable For
- **Market Longevity:** A hardware model that has remained in the market since its original 2003 release date.
- **Integrated Throttle:** Features a built-in thrust lever, eliminating the need for a separate throttle quadrant for basic flight simulation.
- **Extensive Input Map:** Includes 12 distinct push-buttons and a 4-way hat switch to handle complex in-game commands.
- **Standardized Identification:** Recognized by the specific USB device ID 046d:c215 across computing environments.

## Body

### Technical Overview
The Logitech Extreme 3D Pro is a joystick designed for use as a video game controller. It is a subclass of the broader joystick category, which refers to input devices used in aircraft and gaming. The device is connected to host computers via an electrical cable ending in a USB 2 Standard-A plug. Internally, it is identified by the USB device ID 046d:c215.

### Control Surface and Inputs
The controller features a variety of physical mechanisms to facilitate user input:
*   **Buttons:** The device contains 12 individual push-buttons that can be temporarily depressed to control software functions.
*   **Hat Switch:** A 4-way hat switch is located on the stick, providing four possible input directions typically used for changing views or selecting weapons.
*   **Throttle Control:** A thrust lever is integrated into the base of the unit to manage engine power in simulation software.
*   **Primary Axis:** The main joystick provides the primary directional control for aircraft maneuvers.

### Manufacturing and Distribution
The Extreme 3D Pro is manufactured by Logitech, a Swiss provider of peripherals founded on October 2, 1981. The company maintains dual headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Newark, United States. As of March 2024, the manufacturer employed approximately 7,300 people. The Extreme 3D Pro was specifically developed for the Microsoft Windows ecosystem, a family of operating systems that has existed since 1985.

### Documentation and Cataloging
The device is documented across several technical and gaming databases. It is listed on PCGamingWiki under the ID "Controller:Logitech_Extreme_3D_Pro" and is included in the Kultboy controller database with the ID 234. Media related to the device is archived under the Wikimedia Commons category "Logitech Extreme 3D Pro."

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Logitech Extreme 3D Pro",
  "description": "A video game controller model and joystick released in 2003 for Microsoft Windows.",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/3D_mittalaitteen_ohjain.jpg",
  "brand": {
    "@type": "Brand",
    "name": "Logitech"
  },
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Logitech"
  },
  "releaseDate": "2003-08-30",
  "additionalType": "http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q4041835"
}

## References

1. [PCGamingWiki](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Controller:Logitech_Extreme_3D_Pro)
2. PCGamingWiki